PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 184, 6 August 1903, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

PER PKK3B ASSOCIATION. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Wednesday, August 5. The Council met at 8.30. On tha motion of Hon. J. Rigg the rules for tho eleotion of Speaker and Chairman of Committees, as reported from the Standing Orders Committee were agreed to, Hon. W. D. H. Biil'ie hal moved to strike out tho provision excluding strangers during the ballot, but this was defeated by 25 to 13. In OommUtee on the Weights and Meieu'-ea Bill Hon. J. E. J<mkinson moved to amend clause 20, giving power to a Justice or Inspector to eater, examine, acd seize imperfect weights, by eliminating the word " justice." A strong opinion was expressed by several members that it was improper to give a justice the power proposed, and on a division " justice " was struck out by 17 to 16. The clause as amended was carried. Clause 25, " metric system may be proclaimed," was amended on the moti in of Hon. T, Kelly by the addition of a proviso that the proclamation chall not be made until the Imperial Parliament has passed an Act bringing the system into operation, the division b ing 17 to 10. Tha clauw was then carri d and the Bill reported as amended. The Oounoil rose at 4.45.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

Wednesday, August 6, The House met at 2.30 p.m. PETITIONS. Mr Jas, Allen presented a petition signed by 1780 electors of Bruce praying that the Bruce licensing poll be validated. Mr Millar presented a pe'ition from 1207 electors of Biuce asking that licenses continue ia the Bruce district as decided by the Magistrate. Both petitions were read by the Oleik of the House, and we-e referred direot to the Publio Patitions Committee. NEW BILLS. The Public Health Act Amendment Bill, W#inono Drainage District Adjustment Bill (Steward), and Timaru Hv bour District and Harbour Board Bill (H4l Joae*) were introduced and I read a first time. I BEPLIES TO qOXSTIONS. In reply to quudtions Sir Joseph Ward stated he wan prepared to set up a committee of experts to consider and estabiioh standards of purity for foods or drinks offered for sale in the colony, and to determine what are regarded as adulterants therein; that the Government had already approached the Oape Government with a view to a trial being given to Westport coal by the Oape Railway Department; that the Government was considering the advisability of relieving Post Office Saving Bank depositors of the necessity of affixing their signatures to deposit books; that there was no neoessity to submit the Government Railways Superannuation Fund to an aotuary, Mr Seddon said it was bis omdid opinion that this Parliament would pxss a preferential tariff in favour of Great Britain; that the treatment meted out to Captain Walker, late of tho New Zealand Contingent, by the I South African civil authorities was diabolical, and he was certainly entitled to redress. Enquiries were being made, and the House could be assured that the matter would not be allowed to rest. I The House rose at 5,30 p.m.

Evening Sitting. The House resumel at 7.30 p.m. ABOLITION or BiRMAIDS. Mr £ll moved the postponement of the orders of the day No. 1 and 2, viz , the Barmaids Abo'ition Bill and Regulation cf Local Elections Amendment Bill until after No. 3 on the Order Paper, the Elective legislative Council Bill, had been dealt with. Hon. Hall-Jones objected on the ground that the author of so important a Bill sh uld not let this opportunity of dealiag with i 1; go by. He was afraid Mr Ell had only been playing with th s gr<at question, and was in the poei'ioa of a man who had proposed a great reform and then declined to go on with it. As a supporter of the Barmaids Abolition Bill he protested spainst it being held over. M 'Ell's motion was rejected by 36 to 28. Mr Eil then moved the second raiding of the Barmaids Abolition Bill, and resumed his seat without furthor remark, Mr. Lewis said he supported the Bill on general grounds. Wiiat was wanted wai an aU«ra r ion in the direotion of having " the discrest woman " benind the bar. Mr. E. M. Smith objected to interference wit!i barmaids iu earning their living. He had always found m re-speefal'l-j hotels civility and course sy by barmiids, and nothing degrading. Mr. Forati said the step proposed in the Bill should not be taken without; very se>i'>ua consideration. Mr. McLichUn oppos"d the Bill. Mr. Seddon asked 'he House to treat this question seriously. H- regr«tt< d that Mr. E l had not advanced any reasons for the Bill. He held there were no good grounds to warrant the pasting of this restrictive legislation. If Mr. Jbill had told the House that the Bill was a portion cf the licensing legislation which was desired by the prohibitionists, and was not intended as a rffhetion on those who were engaged in this occupation, he would have done justice to himsilf and to a Urge number of very respectable people in this country, Amoogat the proposed licensing amendments he had received t'rem the probibitionis's was one abolishing birmaids, and hf, therefore, !concluded that the legishtion d sired by thit party was being brought in piecemeal. Ho did not think the House should affi m the principle contained in the Bill. Mr. Willis opposed the 811. Mr. Hogg did not think se-ving behind an ho'el bar was a suitable occupation fo young women, Mr A. L D. Frasir contended the presence of women behind bars had a bencfbial moral effect on male visitors to hotels. Mr Majjr supported the Bill, with exemption of the liceneea's family. Messrs Flit man and B tnnetfc spoke. M.r Aluthorford sai I he had known of station hands undergoing a civilising influence a l , the hands of b>rmaids. After fu'-th'r discussion the debate was adjjurned. The House rose -it milni^h 1 :.